Future Shop Podcast with WSL

EP106: The Future of Beauty: K-Beauty, Viral Fragrances, and the TikTok Effect

This podcast episode of Future Shop features WSL’s Wendy Liebmann and Elia Auchane as they recap their recent trip to Cosmoprof North America in Miami. Together, they explore the shifting landscape of the beauty industry, questioning if the sector is “tapped out” while identifying the viral trends, from K-Beauty to Middle Eastern fragrances, that are currently dominating the global market. Through the lens of retail curation and the “toyification” of beauty, they break down how social media and community building have replaced traditional marketing as the primary engines of growth. Episode Highlights The Clash of Worlds: Why the “sleepy,” clinical minimalism of K-Beauty and the “glossy,” over-the-top opulence of Middle Eastern fragrances dominated the show floor. The TikTok Feed Come to Life: How trade shows have evolved into live content sets for influencers and social media brands. Fragrance Wardrobing: The shift from having a “signature scent” to collecting affordable, viral fragrances based on mood.Retail as Curator: Why small-footprint, discovery-focused environments like airport shops are becoming the gold standard for beauty retail.Beyond the Desk: The importance of Retail Safaris® and physical immersion to understand where the competition is actually spending.Send a textVisit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

EP105: TikTok Shop, Agentic AI, and the Future of Retail Trust with Kelsie Johnston

Join host Wendy Liebmann as she sits down with Kelsie Johnston, a retail strategist with a career spanning Macy’s, Walmart, Coty, and most recently, TikTok. In this episode of Future Shop, Kelsie breaks down the seismic shift from traditional omnichannel retail to the exploding world of social commerce and the dawn of “Agentic AI.” They discuss why brands and retailers must move beyond transactional selling to build genuine community and trust in an era where algorithms and AI agents will soon curate what we buy.Highlights:From Omnichannel to Agentic: Tracing the evolution of shopping from “buy online, pickup in store” to AI-driven discovery.The TikTok Strategy: Why the platform is less about selling and more about fueling the “trust signals” of the future.Fast vs. Slow: Understanding the modern shopper's desire for friction-free speed or immersive, slow retail experiences.Retailer Advice: Why prioritizing pace and psychological safety is critical for legacy brands trying to survive the next disruption.Send us a textVisit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

EP104: Retail’s Next Act: Human Connection in an AI World with Christi Geary

In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with Christi Geary, EVP at Advantage Marketing Partners, to explore the evolving landscape of retail and the enduring power of the human connection. They dive into the intersection of technology and emotion, discussing why physical retail remains vital despite the digital explosion and how brands must shift from simple execution to true transformation. Geary shares her unique perspective on breaking through the "mediocrity middle" by leveraging behavioral science and proprietary points of view to create harmonious shopping experiences. Highlights include:The Attention Economy: Why breaking through the noise has become a different task in the age of constant technological shifts. Physical Retail’s Reinvention: Why the "race for reinvention" stalled and how retailers can tap into the human thirst for physical connection. AI as Augmentation: Moving beyond mere efficiency to use technology as a tool for enhancing the human shopping journey. Systems Over Silos: The necessity of breaking down corporate barriers to create a cohesive, shopper-centric ecosystem. Send us a textVisit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

EP103: Agentic AI vs. Human Connection: The Future of Retail Explained with Andy Murray

In this episode of Future Shop, Wendy Liebmann sits down with retail veteran Andy Murray to dissect the conflicting forces impacting the modern shopper. From the bifurcated "K-shaped" economy to the rise of "vibe shopping" among Gen Z, Andy shares insights from his time at Walmart,  ASDA, and P&G, and his current work with the University of Arkansas. Together, they explore a critical paradox: as technology like Agentic AI advances, the human need for physical touch and sensory retail experiences is growing stronger.Key Highlights:The Muddy Middle: How the economy has split shoppers into value-seekers and luxury buyers, leaving a complex "middle" that is harder to define.Gen Z & Transparency: Why younger shoppers are using apps like Yuka to demand total ingredient transparency and how they are leading the charge back to physical stores.The KPI Problem: Why traditional channel-based metrics are stifling innovation and why retailers must shift to a total customer view.AI vs. Humanity: The danger of using AI solely for efficiency and the urgent need to develop "humanist" skills to coexist with Agentic AI. Send us a textVisit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!

EP102: The Agentic AI Revolution: What Companies Need to Know for 2026 with Justin Honaman

In this episode, Wendy Liebmann and Justin Honaman (Amazon Web Services) dive into the chaotic yet exciting world of retail and technology as 2025 wraps up. From AI’s real-world impact on commerce to the rise of “agentic AI,” they explore what’s truly changing the business—and what’s just hype. They also touch on talent, innovation, loyalty, and what brands should expect heading into NRF 2026.Highlights:How retailers and brands are preparing for Q4 2025 and beyondWhat “agentic AI” really means for commerce and customer experienceWhy data, not just technology, is key to resilience and growthThe talent challenge: hiring and training in the age of automationInnovation meets pragmatism—how to balance AI efficiency with human connectionWhat to expect at NRF 2026 and the next wave of retail transformationSend us a textVisit our website for transcripts, links mentioned on this episodes, and video podcasts. Subscribe and rate us with your favorite podcast app!